"This is not something to be dismissed as student misconduct." Adults bowed their heads first in response to the derogatory remarks and mockery of the Baejae area... Baejae Academy Alumni Association calls for thorough investigation and strict measures

*This content was translated by AI.

Adults bowed their heads first in response to the immature behavior of young students.

The Baejae Academy Alumni Association, centered on graduates of Baejae Middle School, Baejae High School, and Baejae University, announced its position through its official website on the 29th: "Regarding the inappropriate cheer slogans by Baejae High School student-athletes during the Cheongryonggi Tournament, the Baejae Academy Alumni Association expresses deep regret and sincere apologies with a heavy heart."

The Baejae High School baseball team became a source of controversy on the 29th during the first round of the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings Tournament held at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium, for persistently using mocking cheers containing derogatory references to Gwangju during the game.

The players chanted slogans such as "Go, go, Starbucks, go," and "Tank Day," leading to a situation where the Gwangju Jeil High School coaching staff directly protested. The phrase was linked to an event where Starbucks Korea held a "Tank Day" promotion on the anniversary of the the 18th Gwangju Democratization Movement, a case that caused significant social backlash, resulting in the resignation of Starbucks Korea's CEO and public apologies from Shinsegae Group Chairman Yong-jin Jung and Starbucks' U.S. headquarters.

Immediately after the game, Baejae High School head coach Kwon Oh-young, the coaching staff, some parents, and some students who led the chants visited the Gwangju Jeil High School dugout to convey their apologies. Baejae High School also posted an apology on its official website and promised to prevent recurrence, but the situation escalated rapidly.

While the lack of supervision by coaches was identified as a major issue, adults took the lead. The Baejae Academy Alumni Association drew a clear line, stating, "If the currently known facts are true, this is not a simple mistake in the cheering process but an act that directly contradicts the spirit of sports."

It further emphasized, "For students who should take respect and consideration for others as basic values, this is absolutely an action that should never be taken. Especially, this incident must be taken more seriously as it is an act that abandoned the basic dignity and etiquette that must be upheld on the field, completely unrelated to any specific ideology or belief."

The association also acknowledged the pain of the Gwangju Jeil High School team. The Baejae Academy Alumni Association stated, "We sincerely apologize to the Gwangju Jeil High School athletes. We have inflicted unwarranted humiliation and hurt on athletes who did their best for a fair competition. We have also caused disappointment and anger to the parents and coaches who watched the game," bowing their heads once again.

Along with this, the association called for concrete follow-up measures at the home school, Baejae High School. The Baejae Academy Alumni Association strongly urged the school authorities and the school foundation to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, clearly identify the circumstances and those responsible. It also called for strict measures against those responsible in accordance with relevant regulations and for the establishment of fundamental measures to prevent recurrence.

It further criticized, "Especially, this incident should not be dismissed merely as misconduct by some students," and added, "The school leadership, which bears management and supervisory responsibility, cannot be free from that responsibility."

Despite the adults' reflection and immediate apologies, disciplinary actions against those involved are expected to be discussed without delay. The Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA), recognizing the seriousness of the matter, has scheduled to hold a Sports Korea Fair Trade Commission meeting on July 1. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the relevant institutional investor, also dispatched staff to Baejae High School on the morning of that day to begin an investigation.

▶ Full text of the Baejae Academy Alumni Association statement

Dear Baejae Academy alumni, and dear Gwangju Jeil High School alumni!

Regarding the inappropriate cheer slogans by Baejae High School student-athletes during the Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship, the Baejae Academy Alumni Association expresses deep regret and sincere apologies with a heavy heart.

If the currently known facts are true, this is not a simple mistake in the cheering process but an act that directly contradicts the spirit of sports, and it is absolutely an action that students, who should take respect and consideration for others as basic values, should never take. Especially, this incident must be taken more seriously as it is an act that abandoned the basic dignity and etiquette that must be upheld on the field, completely unrelated to any specific ideology or belief.

Baejae Academy is a prestigious national school with over 140 years of history and tradition, which has made the Baejae spirit of valuing personality and character, respecting and serving others, the foundation of its education. However, this incident has not only tarnished the school's reputation but, more importantly, caused great hurt to the opposing school and its alumni, leading us to deeply reflect and accept responsibility.

We sincerely apologize to the Gwangju Jeil High School athletes in particular. We have inflicted unwarranted humiliation and hurt on athletes who did their best for a fair competition, and we have also caused disappointment and anger to the parents and coaches who watched the game.

We also bow our heads and apologize to the Gwangju Jeil High School alumni association president and all alumni. The two schools, known for their long tradition and honor, have contributed to the development of Korean baseball and education through friendly competition and mutual respect. Nevertheless, we sincerely ask for forgiveness on behalf of all Baejae members for damaging the honor of Gwangju Jeil High School and causing deep hurt to the hearts of the alumni.

We take the disappointment and anger you felt seriously and will never take this incident lightly. The Baejae Academy Alumni Association strongly urges the school authorities and the school foundation to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter, clearly identify the circumstances and those responsible. It also calls for strict measures against those responsible in accordance with relevant regulations and for the establishment of fundamental measures to prevent recurrence.

Especially, this incident should not be dismissed merely as misconduct by some students. A thorough review must be conducted to determine whether the usual education, guidance, and supervisory systems for student-athletes functioned properly, and the school leadership, which bears management and supervisory responsibility, cannot be free from that responsibility.

The Baejae Academy Alumni Association believes that a decisive action by the school's top executive is necessary. Therefore, the principal must resign immediately, bearing moral and managerial responsibility for this incident, and the school foundation is strongly urged to take serious measures regarding the responsibility. We believe that only the decisive action of a responsible leadership can restore the tarnished reputation of Baejae Academy and fulfill the minimum responsibility to the hurt Gwangju Jeil High School and the public.

The Baejae Academy Alumni Association will closely monitor the school's investigation and follow-up measures, and will continue to watch until the end to ensure that stricter accountability and measures are taken against those involved if acts that tarnished the school's reputation and the corresponding management and supervisory responsibility are confirmed.

The honor of Baejae is not the property of any individual or specific group but a precious value that all Baejae members must protect together. This matter must not be minimized or handled formally; responsible measures that can be accepted by the Baejae community and the entire nation must inevitably follow.

Once again, we deeply bow our heads and apologize to the Gwangju Jeil High School athletes, parents, and alumni. Baejae members will take this incident as a painful opportunity for reflection and strive to regain the true Baejae spirit of respecting and serving others.

"If you wish to be great, serve others."

June 29, 2026

Baejae Academy Alumni Association

Signed by the 39th President Kim Dong-yeon and all board members

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*This content was translated by AI.